MARKHAM, ONTARIO--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 19, 2006 -- With the introduction of the latest software development
kit (SDK), ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX:ATY.TO)(NasdaqNM:ATYT)
is giving developers and artists the tools to fully leverage
the power of unified shaders and the graphics processing
unit (GPU) and a sneak peek at the possibilities of the
future Microsoft DirectX 10. With forward looking
techniques like shadow volume extrusion and streaming out
of animation data, the SDK has more than a dozen new samples
of what could be possible with DirectX 10 and empowers developers
to start creating the kind of breakthrough content the industry
saw at the advent of DirectX 9.

Having introduced a unified shader architecture for the
Xbox 360, ATI has initiated an exciting shift in the graphics
industry. The ability of the GPU to perform sophisticated
tasks generally attributed to the CPU such as physics is
becoming more and more relevant to the gaming industry.
This latest SDK from ATI shows developers how they can best
tap into this technology to incorporate techniques such
as water simulation, inverse kinematics and simple collision
detection. Rounding out the extensive content on the SDK
is an emphasis on render-to-vertex buffer techniques and
shows some of the ideas of what can be implemented on top
of it.

"In 2002, ATI introduced the first DirectX 9 parts with
the Radeon 9700. With DirectX 10 on the horizon and
the development of the industry's first unified shader architecture
with the Xbox 360, ATI is again taking the leadership role
and giving developers the tools to navigate this exciting
transition," said Neal Robison, Director, ISV Relations,
ATI. "ATI's GPUs are incredibly powerful and have the ability
to perform powerful tasks such as physics that give developers
a greater range of realism and sophistication for their
games."

For more information on ATI's developer relations program
or to download the SDK, please visit ati.com/developer.